“Good. She should be.” Okay, that came out all wrong, but it wasn't as if I could take it back. “I mean, I'm glad she's sorry.”

  Caitlin studied me for a moment. “Brooke really regrets what she did, Maya. She said that her back really had been hurting that night. And although she was playing it up for her parents, she went online and read about spinal injuries and actually became somewhat convinced that her fall had been more serious than she'd thought.”

  “Right…” I could hear the sharp tone of skepticism in my voice, and I didn't like it.

  “I know it's probably hard for you to believe, and I'll admit that Josh was a little suspicious, but I can see how that might happen.”

  “Okay. Let's say that's what happened. But the time had to come when Brooke realized her back was fine. I mean, I saw her doing a nearly perfect one-and-a-half off her diving board. And she came up grinning like that was so great—until she saw me anyway.”

  “Yes, that's a valid point. And one that Josh brought up.”

  I nodded, mentally thanking Josh Miller.

  “And she admitted she had known for a while that her back was okay, but by then the lawsuit was a big deal, and she was afraid to tell the truth.”

  “So she just kept on lying?”

  “Yes.” Caitlin looked sad now. “But I didn't really want to talk about Brooke's problems—and I'll admit she has some. I'm here to talk to you, Maya. I'm concerned that this thing between you and Brooke could turn into a big stumbling block for you.”

  “How's that?”

  “Remember Josh's talk about forgiveness?”

  I nodded and looked down at the table.

  “Like Josh said, God forgave us everything even when we didn't deserve it, and He expects us to forgive others. When we don't, we construct a barrier that separates us from God. Every day that we remain unforgiving becomes one more brick in that wall. And eventually we can't even see over it.”

  We talked some more about forgiveness, and while I understand in theory, I'm just not sure how to put it into practice. Caitlin gave me a short list of Bible verses about forgiveness. And I promised her I would read them and pray specifically about this. And I will. But not today. Of course, I've just laid another brick. Still, that wall can't be too tall yet. I mean, it's only been a little more than a week since I found out Brooke had lied to us. That would only be eight or nine bricks, and that wouldn't be much of a wall. Unless these are very large bricks. But I'll think about this tomorrow.

  Maya's Green Tip for the Day

  Do you have a wall wart? That's a recharger stuck in an outlet with nothing to charge on the other end. Or maybe you have an energy vampire. That's an appliance that's plugged in but not in use. Did you know that the U.S. Department of Energy says a large percentage of the electricity used to power electronics in the average American home is wasted on rechargers and plugged-in appliances that are not being used? TVs, computers, stereos, VCRs, toasters, and microwaves may look like they're innocently sitting there, but if they're plugged in, they're sucking watts. So unplug those rechargers. Use power strips on electronics. Or just pull the plug.

  July 21

  I was having my lunch break with Marissa today when Caitlin called to tell me there would be an emergency meeting tonight for the fund-raiser.

  “But I'm working tonight,” I told her.

  “I thought you might be. But I wanted to call just in case.”

  “So what's the emergency?”

  “Redemption is booked for another concert the same night.”

  “The same night?” I sneaked in a bite of my salad as I listened.

  “Yes. Chloe wasn't too happy about it either. But apparently someone messed up, and according to their contract, there's no getting out of it.”

  “Can you get someone else?”

  “The church worship band has offered to play.” I could hear the disappointment in Caitlin's voice. “They're a great worship band and all but not really concert worthy.”

  “Wait a minute…” I set down my fork as realization hit.

  “What?”

  I glanced at Marissa, who was absently drinking her soda, but I could tell she was listening. “Hang on, Caitlin.” I was tempted to take the phone over to a place where Marissa couldn't hear. But that might hurt her feelings. Plus I had planned to tell her, just not yet.

  “Uh, Marissa, can you keep a secret?”

  “A secret?” Her eyes lit up. “Of course!”

  So I quickly explained about my dad coming to visit.

  “Hey, that's cool. But I don't see why it's a big secret.”

  “Well, you know he's kind of a celebrity. In fact, I had planned to do a small dinner, and naturally you and your dad are invited.”

  I couldn't read her expression, but she nodded. “That's cool.”

  “So can you keep it under your hat for a while? I mean, even with your dad?”

  “Sure.”

  I put the phone back up to my ear. “Here's the deal, Caitlin. My dad is going to be here when the fund-raiser is scheduled. And it's possible that I could ask him to—”

  “A Nick Stark concert!” she shrieked.

  “Can anyone hear you?”

  She laughed. “Well, not unless the neighbors are eavesdropping. I'm alone at the moment.”

  “But the thing is…could we sort of keep it under wraps?”

  “Under wraps?”

  “You know, like could we call it a mystery concert and not say who is playing? Or if the posters are already printed, could we go ahead and let people think that Redemption is playing but then spring my dad at the last minute with an explanation?”

  “Why do you want to keep it so top secret, Maya?”

  “Well…I guess I sort of wanted his visit to be low-key. You know, it's been kind of nice just being an average, normal girl.”

  Caitlin laughed. “I hate to inform you of this, Maya, but you are not just an average, normal girl. Whether your dad's a celebrity or not, you're the kind of person that people notice. Plus you've got your newspaper column, which was quite good this weekend.”

  “Thanks.” I stabbed my fork into a cucumber and bit into it.

  “Besides, I think it would be unfair to the ticket buyers. Redemption is a Christian rock band that appeals to young people, and that's cool. But Nick Stark could appeal to lots of older people, ones who wouldn't even think to come to hear Redemption. In fact, this could be huge. With Nick Stark here, the stadium would probably sell out.”

  “Maybe…”

  “But if it's a problem for you, I understand.”

  Suddenly I envisioned a crowd of impoverished school kids with no new backpacks or school supplies, and I felt very, very selfish.

  “No, I'm okay with it. But before you do anything, I'd better check with my dad.”

  “Oh, I can just see God's hand in this, Maya.”

  “Yeah, maybe.” So I told her good-bye and looked back at Marissa.

  She grinned. “So you were going to keep your big-time celebrity daddy all to yourself, were you?”

  “No, it's not like that. I mean, he's coming here for a break, and he's had a pretty full—”

  “I heard you, Maya. You just want to be an average, normal girl.” I could hear the teasing note in her voice now.

  “Thanks a lot.” I turned my attention back to my lunch now.

  “Sorry. I couldn't resist. But it is pretty funny. I mean, you will never be an average, normal girl. You're way too good-looking. You've got too much money. And just this afternoon as we were walking through the mall, I saw at least a dozen guys checking you out.”

  “They were probably looking at you.”

  She laughed. “Hey, I know I get my fair share of looks, Maya, but those long legs of yours and that mane of hair… Well, most of the looks were aimed at you.”

  “Yeah… whatever.”

  “So why not just go with the flow?”

  “The flow?”

  “Yeah. Your dad's famous. Big deal. Get over yourself.”

  Okay, that made me laugh. “Thanks. I needed that.”

  “That's what friends are for.”

  “I wish you hadn't graduated already,” I said. The more I consider going to high school, the more I realize that I won't have any friends. Well, besides Dominic.

  She rolled her eyes. “Not me. I'm so glad to be out of that prison.”

  “So have you decided about college?” Marissa's dad wants her to go to the university where she was accepted. But she's considering hanging out here and doing community college.

  “I don't know. Sometimes I think, yeah, I'll just pack it up and go to the university. But then I'd be stuck in a dorm with some stupid roommate, and I'm not sure I could handle that. It might be easier just to stay here.”

  “That surprises me,” I admitted. “Why?”

  “I think of you as the party girl, going away to school, living on campus… Well, it seems you'd like that.”

  “Do you want to know the truth, daddy's girl?”

  I frowned. “Hey, I'm not exactly a daddy's girl.”

  “Maybe not…but the truth is, maybe I am.”

  I stopped drinking my green tea and looked up. “What?”

  “Well, I'm worried about leaving him alone. I mean, I know I'm a pain, but my dad likes having me around. And I help out some too.”

  Okay, I couldn't imagine Marissa helping out, but why would she lie about it? Still, I was too surprised to say anything.

  “Fine. Now you know my secret, and I know yours. I guess we're both daddy's girls.” She kind of smiled. “I never admit it, but my old man's not so bad—even if he is a cop. And I know he loves me. He's just worried that I'm going to mess up so badly that I won't be able to get out of it. I keep telling him that as soon as he lightens up on me, I'll probably be more responsible.”

  “How's that?”

  “It's like this. If you have a controlling parent who's always warning you not to blow it or telling you how to live your life, you don't need to think for yourself. They do it for you, right?”

  I considered this. “In a way that makes sense. My mom was pretty checked out, and that forced me to be hyperresponsible.”

  “See!” She pointed her fork at me. “Just what I'm saying.”

  Marissa's theory might actually hold water. I mean, I suppose I am more mature as a result of Shannon's lack of parenting skills. Still, I don't exactly feel like writing her a thank-you letter just yet.

  July 22

  Dad returned my call this morning. And when I asked him about the benefit concert, he actually sounded pleased. Well, pleased and tired.

  “How are you holding up?”

  “Okay, but I'm counting the days until next week. What night is the concert?”

  “Saturday, August second.”

  “That's good. I'll have a few days to rest up.”

  “So you really want to do it?”

  “I'm honored that you want me there, honey.”

  I told him about the backpack project, and he seemed even happier to help out. By the time we hung up, I realized that Caitlin was probably right—God's hand is in this. I called and told her the good news, and she was ecstatic.

  “That's so great. And fortunately, the posters hadn't been printed yet. It was a scheduling error at the print shop, but I think God was trying to save everyone a few bucks. I'll call them right now, and hopefully we can start putting up posters by the end of the week. It's pretty short notice—only eleven days away.”

  “Hey, Dominic wants to be on the committee,” I told her.

  “Great, we need more hands.”

  “I'll bring him to the meeting on Thursday.”

  “Awesome. Uh, Maya?”

  “What?”

  “I hate to be a nag, but did you read those verses about forgiveness?”

  I looked at my open Bible. “Yes…”

  “And?”

  “And…I'm working on it. But I do have a question.”

  “What?”

  “What if you feel like you can't forgive someone?”

  “Then you ask God to help you.”

  “Okay, well…what about asking for forgiveness? Isn't Brooke supposed to apologize and ask me to forgive her?”

  There was a long pause now.

  “I mean, that's what we do with God, right?”

  “Yes, although God was always offering that forgiveness to us—just ready and waiting for us to wake up and come get it.”

  “I suppose…”

  “Josh asked Brooke if she planned to ask you for forgiveness, Maya.”

  “What did she say?”

  “To be honest, she seemed kind of mad at you.”

  “Mad at me?”

  “Yes. She said you had said mean things to her.”

  “I said mean things to her?”

  “That's what she said.”

  “Well.”

  “Anyway, you can't control what Brooke does or says or thinks, Maya. You can only control yourself. And if you refuse to forgive her, it only hurts you.”

  “The wall thing?”

  “Yes. Your unforgiveness will come between you and God. This is a fact of life. Not only that, but you'll suffer in other ways too. Refusing to forgive someone robs us of joy—and peace.”

  Okay, I knew she was right about that. For weeks I've felt like I have this black Brooke cloud hanging over me. Even with the lawsuit put aside, the cloud remains. In fact, it seems to be getting bigger.

  “Here's what I'll do,” I said slowly. “I will really pray about it. And this time I'll ask God to help me.”

  “That's good, Maya. Really, it's the best you can do.”

  I know God is God and very powerful, but it'll take a miracle to make me forgive Brooke. And to know that she's going around telling others that I've been mean to her—well, that just fries me!

  July 24

  Dominic and I went to the planning meeting together. It was fun having him there, seeing him make suggestions and offer to help. I could tell Caitlin appreciated it too. Then afterward in the church parking lot, Dominic walked me around to the passenger's side and was about to open the door (he's polite like that), and suddenly we were embracing and kissing. With my back to the car, I could feel the whole pressure of his body against mine, and it literally took my breath away—in a tingly, electrical way. Finally I gently but firmly pushed him away.

  “Sorry,” he said in a husky voice. “I didn't mean to do that.”

  “I know.” I waited for him to open the door, then got in. I didn't know what to say, so I just sat there as he drove me home.

  He walked me to the front door. “Are we still on for tomorrow night?”

  “Sure,” I said quickly. Mostly I wanted to get inside the house before we were suddenly kissing again. “See you at eight?”

  “I'll be there.” He leaned forward and gave me a quick peck on the cheek. “How's that?”

  I smiled at him. “Perfect.”

  Maybe things weren't as carried away as they seemed. Still, I can't believe Dominic and I had a big make-out session in the church parking lot of all places! Fortunately I don't think anyone saw us. Even so, it's a little unsettling. What if we had been someplace private? Someplace where no one could see us? What if things just kept going, getting hotter and hotter? That's enough to make me quit writing tonight. I'll have to think about that tomorrow. It seems I put off a lot of things to think about until the next day. Even my promise to ask God to help me forgive Brooke has been delayed time after time. I'm beginning to wonder if I'm much of a Christian. Maybe I'm just faking it. I remember how aggravated I was at Brooke and Amanda when we worked on the mural. Like I kept thinking they were both fake Christians. Now I wonder if I'm not a lot more like them than I care to admit.

  Maya's Green Tip for the Day

  Speaking of faking it. Can your rear end tell the difference between toilet paper that's made from recycled paper or TP that's made from “virgin” paper? Mine sure can't. But that may be because I've been using the recycled stuff for years. According to the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC), if every American household replaced just one roll (500 sheets) of virgin-fiber toilet paper with 100 percent recycled paper (just one roll!), we'd save almost half a million trees! I say it's worth a try. And who knows, one roll might lead to another…and another.

  July 25

  Get a load of this.” Caitlin held up a bright orange poster announcing Nick Stark was performing at the benefit concert next weekend. It was a little past three when she'd shown up unexpectedly at Jacqueline's.

  “Very cool,” I said as I studied the screen-printed poster. The image of my dad was an interesting style, but it was definitely him with his wire-rimmed shades and close-cropped hair.

  “Can you put up a poster here in the shop?”

  “Of course,” said Jackie as she emerged from behind the counter. “We can put up a couple if you like. One on that window, and another over there might be nice.”

  “Great.”

  I introduced Jackie to Caitlin, and they both went on and on about how great it was that Nick Stark was coming to town. Okay, I tried not to look too distressed over this. Because really, I'm fine with it. Still, it makes me nervous when people start to gush.

  “When's your lunch break?” Caitlin asked me.

  “You can take it now, if you like,” said Jackie. “Business is pretty slow at the moment.”

  “Are you sure?” I said.

  She smiled. “Positive. Go and enjoy.”

  So I went with Caitlin to get some lunch. Fortunately, Marissa wasn't coming by today. And I wouldn't see Dominic until after work. We got our food and found a table in a quiet corner of the food court, and as we started to eat, Caitlin brought up Dominic. “I just dropped a bunch of posters at his house. He's going to spend the next few hours putting them up.”

  “Cool.”

  “Then he said he's got a big date with you.”

  My cheeks grew warm. “He's meeting me here after work. At eight. We're going to catch a flick, I think.”